ALBANY -- Former Congressman John Sweeney has joined Albany law firm Tully Rinckey.

Sweeney served four terms as representative of the 20th Congressional District before he was convicted twice of driving while intoxicated -- once in 2007 and again in 2009. He served 17 days in Saratoga County Jail after the second conviction, but the charge was reduced from a felony, enabling him to keep his license to practice law.

In March, Sweeney shared his journey toward sobriety with The Saratogian. He said his decision to enter treatment was a matter of life and death.

At Tully Rinckey, Sweeney will lead the firm's new congressional investigations department, which will help federal contractors and other businesses and individuals respond to requests for information or subpoenas issued by congressional committees. Sweeney, who served four terms in Congress, sat on the influential House Appropriations Committee. He also served as vice chairman of its Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies. He was first elected to represent the 20th Congressional District in 1998.

Advertisement

"John Sweeney is a businessman who brings a lot to the table," said Matthew B. Tully, a founding partner of the law firm.

For Tully Rinckey, Sweeney will also represent federal employees in employment disputes, such discrimination complaints and whistleblower retaliation claims. Tully said Sweeney, a former New York State Labor Commissioner appointed in 1995 by then-Gov. George E. Pataki, will strengthen the firm's federal sector employment law practice.